Quadient has announced a collaboration with Buzz Bingo to introduce Parcel Pending automated lockers across 35 of the operator’s 81 clubs in the UK, with additional expansions planned. The initiative aims to provide a seamless parcel collection and return system, further enhancing convenience for visitors. While this development modernizes bingo club offerings, it also comes at a time when some locations, such as Buzz Bingo Worthing, are closing permanently, marking a shift in the UK bingo landscape.
Enhancing Convenience at Bingo Clubs
Buzz Bingo, the UK’s largest bingo hall operator, is integrating Quadient’s automated lockers into select locations to improve parcel services. These intelligent lockers facilitate deliveries and returns from major couriers, including Royal Mail, DPD, Evri, and UPS. The lockers also support key drop-offs via Keynest, further expanding their functionality.
Katia Bourgeais Crémel, Director of Lockers Automation for Europe at Quadient, emphasized the collaboration’s benefits, stating: “We’re thrilled to bring our intelligent lockers to Buzz Bingo clubs, offering a secure and user-friendly solution for parcel collection. This collaboration enhances the experience for Buzz Bingo members, encourages more visitors, and supports sustainable last-mile delivery solutions. By making parcel delivery more accessible, we are also strengthening connections within local communities and look forward to seeing how this partnership evolves. This is another successful step forward in the expansion of our open locker network across the UK, as we continue to seek new partnerships to provide safe and convenient parcel collection and drop-off solutions to everyone.”
Quadient is steadily growing its global presence, with over 25,000 parcel locker units already installed worldwide. The company aims to deploy 40,000 units by 2030, expanding its reach across Europe, the United States, and Japan.
Buzz Bingo Worthing Closes Amid Broader Changes
While Buzz Bingo enhances services in some locations, its Worthing club closed permanently on January 25. This decision follows the landlord’s plan to redevelop the site into housing and commercial units. The Plaza building, which housed the club, has a rich history dating back to 1933, having served as a theatre and cinema before becoming a bingo hall in the 1970s.
Regular patrons expressed disappointment over the closure, describing it as the "end of an era." Shirley Percival, a long-time visitor, lamented the loss of the venue, stating: “It’s a very sad day that it’s going to close. I used to come here when I was a kid to go to the cinema and then it was a cinema. We all have a coffee and chat, a lot of people come because it's nice and warm and something to do when you're on your own. It’s company as well.”
Valerie Cartwright, another loyal player, reflected on the impact, saying, “I have been coming here for 28 years since I moved to Worthing. It’s where we all get together. Because I’ve been playing bingo for so long, it’s the end of an era for me.”
The club’s closure is part of a larger redevelopment plan by Cayuga Developments, which aims to transform the site into 47 flats, six houses, and two commercial units. Cayuga’s director, Matt Hoad, explained that structural and contamination issues made the existing building unviable to maintain.
Buzz Bingo Chief Operating Officer Stevie Shaves assured employees and customers that the closure was a business decision following the landlord’s redevelopment plans. “These decisions are never easy, and we want to ensure our colleagues are supported during this transition,” Shaves stated, noting that the company would offer redeployment options where possible.
A Changing Bingo Landscape
The partnership between Quadient and Buzz Bingo signifies a strategic modernization of bingo halls, making them multi-functional community hubs. However, club closures like the one in Worthing highlight shifting trends in the industry. While technological enhancements such as automated parcel lockers improve customer convenience, closures reflect broader challenges facing traditional bingo venues. As the sector adapts, further innovations and adjustments may shape the future of bingo in the UK.
Sources:
Quadient Teams Up with Buzz Bingo to Bring Convenient Parcel Lockers to Bingo Clubs Across the UK, globenewswire.com, January 28, 2025.
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